Teenagers humming towards silk shops, showrooms in Rajshahi

On the eve of holy Eid-ul-Fitr, largest religious festival of the Muslims, shopping in the silk shops and showrooms has gained momentum as Eid of Rajshahi people is interlinked with silk dress.

Since time immemorial, the people use silk wears as their heritage of Eid festival in the region which is famous for quality silk production.

Silk fabrics, weaved and designed by local artisans, are on tremendous demand in the Eid markets of the city, with the moneyed people rushing to the city silk showrooms every day.

With attraction of eye-catching colour and design of the silk wears, large number of people irrespective of age and sex and the adolescents in particular are humming towards the showrooms to collect their best ones.

As a result, employees of the silk factories are passing their busiest times both days and night. Silk factories in the BSCIC are also being operated round the clock.

According to the sources concerned, silk wears valued at around Taka 30-35 crore are likely to be transacted during the Eid season.

Varieties of silk clothes namely bolaka karchupi, sui-suta katan, koti silk, joyashri, silk katan, water katan, jamdani katan, borkatan, dupiana, jhorna katan, shari, three piece, orna, panjabi-paijama, shirt, fatua and scarf are on display in every of the shops and showrooms to attract the buyers.

The buyers from the richer class are also selecting and purchasing their choicest ones whatever the price is while the middle and low-income groups are seen bargaining with the sellers.

During visit to different silk showrooms at Sonadighi silk market and BSCIC Estate this reporter found that all the factories are operating day and night equally and the laborers are passing their sleepless night ahead of the Eid festival.

Some five silk manufacturers like Sapura Silk, Usha Silk, Rajshahi Silk Fashion, Amena Silk and Mohananda Silk are doing their brisk business after taking advantages of the Eid market.

They also arranged and assembled new more designs and colour this season. The rich people are going to Sapura Silk Industrial Area to buy silk products.

Sellers said the number of silk products buyers has been increased as the Eid is knocking at the door.

Saidur Rahman, Showroom in-charge of Sapura Silk, told BSS that katoar design shari on muslin is their greatest attraction for this Eid that was the record sale brand Shari of the previous Eid.

Each of the Shari is being sold at Taka 3,500 to Taka 15,000 according to size and designs.

He informed that keeping the choice of the customers of all categories in mind, varieties of saris, Punjabees, three-pieces and children's dresses were assembled at the showrooms.

Usha Silk has also brought new designed Panjabee with stripe art on silk which is being sold at Taka 1,900 to Taka 6,500 per piece.

Manufacturing work of the goods is going on in full swing in the showroom adjacent factory.

Nur Alam Bulbul, showroom in-charge of Usha Silk, said each of their Sharies are being sold at Taka 1150 to Taka 12,500 according to size and designs this season while the female three-pieces at Taka 2,500 to Taka 5,500.

Liakat Ali, President of Bangladesh Silk Industry Owners Association, laid emphasis on elevating the sector for saving huge hard-earned foreign currencies which are spent for import of the silk yarn.

He said the issue of the consumers' demands should be given priority.

"The glorious silk sector is now facing an embarrassing situation due to excessive price of foreign silk yarn and abnormal decline in its local production," he added.

He said the sector needs initiatives to retain the skilled laborers, especially the rearers, weavers and printers in the profession in the greater interest of the sector.

There is no alternative to boosting local production to protect the sector.

Importance should be given on farmer level transfer and dissemination of the high-yielding mulberry trees and silk-cocoons and other relevant technologies so far innovated in the laboratory researches.

Liakat Ali laid stress on proper use of plant varieties and modern technologies at the growers' level that is very essential to attain cherished goals in this field.

He mentioned that increased domestic production of yarn can help revitalize the traditional silk sector.

Source: BSS.